The Indianapolis Colts (3-3) will be hosting the Cleveland Browns (3-2) at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday for a Week 7 matchup..
The sportsbooks have the Colts sitting as home underdogs and the experts around the league are siding heavily with the Browns to take a road victory in this matchup.
Here’s how the Colts Wire staff sees this Week 7 matchup shaking out:
Kevin Hickey: Browns 20, Colts 17
We know this team is going to fight and compete, which is why we should expect a low-scoring, physical game that features two teams leaning on their defenses and rushing attacks on Sunday.
Even though it seems as though Deshaun Watson will return from a shoulder injury, the Browns are still going to lean on the run game. Without Grover Stewart, the Colts will struggle a bit more than usual when it comes to stopping Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt.
We shouldn’t expect Gardner Minshew to turn the ball over four times, but he will be facing a tough defense led by one of the league’s best pass rushers in Myles Garrett, who will have plenty of snaps lined up across from rookie Blake Freeland. That will ultimately be the difference in this game.
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)
Cody Manning: Browns 24, Colts 21
The Indianapolis Colts offense struggles to get into a rhythm to start the game against the vaunted Cleveland Browns defense. But the Indy defense is just as stifling to keep the Browns at bay from pulling away with an early big lead.
The offense finds a spark from Jonathan Taylor as he starts to break off explosive plays to help lead to a few touchdowns drives. At the same time, the Cleveland offense gets in a groove with the running game, taking advantage of Grover Stewart’s absence.
This goes back and forth until late in the fourth quarter. Myles Garrett comes up with a Defensive Player of the Year-type play to knock the ball loose out of Gardner Minshew’s hands. The Browns march down to get the go-ahead touchdown to win a 24-21 game.
Follow Cody on Twitter (@CodyTalksNFL)
Meghan Hall: Browns 16, Colts 13
Though the Colts have likely been playing above expectations, there’s a huge task waiting on the other end of Sunday – blowing past the Browns’ historic defense. That’s a lot to ask of a team that has been banged up and is without its starting QB for the remainder of the season.
While I believe, Gardner Minshew is fully capable of leading the team, his efforts last week against the Jacksonville, jaguars, or particularly concerning. Many of his turnovers were forced throws that could’ve been avoided. In my opinion, even with Minshew playing a very solid game, it may not be enough to overcome the brick wall that is the Browns’ defense. It’s very likely that this may be an ugly game. I don’t feel great about making this pick, but I’m going to take the Browns by a field goal.
Follow Meghan on Twitter (@ItsMeghanLHall)
Cody Felger: Browns 21, Colts 14
Well, I do think this will be a relatively low scoring game, Cleveland’s rushing attack and defense will make life extremely difficult all day long. Ultimately, the game will a defensive battle and time of possession type game but Cleveland will win because of the talent they possess across the board.
Follow Cody on Twitter (@CPFelger55)
Season Standings
| Writer | SU | ATS |
| Kevin Hickey | 4-2 | 4-2 |
| Cody Manning | 4-2 | 3-3 |
| Meghan Hall | 3-3 | 3-3 |
| Cody Felger | 4-2 | 5-1 |
